Photograph:
Lancair 320 VH-LJA2 (c/n N395) at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 119 kw (160 hp) Textron Lycoming O-320 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.16 m (23 ft 6 in)
- Length: 6.40 m (21 ft 0 in)
- Height 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in) wing area: 7.06 m² (76 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 418 km/h (260 mph)
- Cruising speed at 2,285 m (7,500 ft): 386 km/h (240 mph)
- Stalling speed: 102 km/h (63 mph)
- Max rate of climb: 503 m/min (1,650 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 5,475 m (18,000 ft)
- Range with no reserves: 2,333 km (1,450 miles)
- Take-off run: 213 m (700 ft)
- G limits: +9/-4.5
- Fuel capacity: 163 litres (36 Imp gals)
- Optional fuel capacity: 53 litres (44 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 472 kg (1,040 lb)
- Loaded weight: 764 kg (1,658 lb)
History:
Following the success of the Lancair 235 series, the manufacturer introduced a larger fuselage, increased flap effectiveness and a lengthened undercarriage with an oleo-pneumatic nose strut. Certification was received on 8 January, 1990 from the FAA under the 51% rule for the fast-build kit. Power is provided by a Lycoming O-320 engine.
One of the first Lancairs to be completed in Australia was VH-HTD, registered to Avtex at Ballina, NSW, the importer, in September 1988 but this machine was lost in an accident at Coffs Harbour, NSW in December 1993. This Company by mid-1992 had imported 57 kits to this region for customers and at that time was building the Lancair under licence, and also producing parts for Lancair which was then in California. The first Lancair in Australia was completed in 1987 and more than 70 examples of the series have been completed. Others are under construction. Examples of the Lancair 320 and 235 have been registered in New Zealand and the first Lancair 360 was ZK-MHS. The type was advertised as “You can get into a new Lancair, the Lamborghini of the skies, for far, far less than a slower aircraft…”.
The type has received considerable development and further models include the Lancair 235, which has a 88 kw (118 hp) Lycoming O-235 engine and introduced a larger fuselage, increased flap effectiveness, and a longer landing gear; the Lancair 360, similar to the 320 but with a 134 kw (180 hp) Lycoming O-360 engine; and the Lancair IV and ES.
One example built in New Zealand (ZK-LHC – c/n 003) was built by Harold Harris using a Lancair fuselage kit but building 30 per cent larger wings and fitting a Rotax 912 engine, becoming known as the Harris Cash Aviation Model 3, the modifications permitting the aircraft to meet Class 2 Microlight regulations in New Zealand.